Songs that Sound Like Other Songs

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Santigold vs. Frida vs. The Bangles

Matthew submitted Santigold‘s “Shooting Arrows At The Sky” (featured on the latest Hunger Games soundtrack) vs. Frida‘s 1982 song “I Know There’s Something Going On”. I think there is in fact something going on here. I also immediately heard “Manic Monday” by The Bangles as well (actually written by Prince).

I heard Santigolds “Shooting Arrows” and had a deja vú at once. Listening the ear worm for a while I got it and I thought this must be ABBA! Some minutes ago I found Fridas “Something goes on” at my harddisk. That is it.

And Don’t Stop by Aerosmith (1993), b-side to Livin’ On the Edge. Frida’s song certainly was prophetic; the something that’s going on is people writing similar songs to hers. Since I mentioned Aerosmith, the verse of Amazing (1993) sounds like In My Life by The Beatles.

Sorry, I had that the wrong way around, Prince recycled 1999 (Sep 1982) for Manic Monday, but Frida had already recorded her song in Feb ’82, according to Wikipedia, which has provided some references. It also tells that Phil Collins said he frequently listened to 1999 while on tour with Genesis, but there’s more: it states that the riff for 1999 was based on Monday, Monday by the Mamas and the Papas (1966).
Be sure to check my new comment on The Flaming Lips vs Cat Stevens.

The guitar pluck in Santigolds Shooting Arrows is definitely reminiscent of Frida’s song (and produced by Phil Collins), but I definitely picked up Prince’s 1999 in the vocal melody. A little Werewolves of London in the “wahoos”, too.